Coin operated pool table

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for selectively receiving billiard balls played on a coin operated pool table, releasing such billiard balls for the next game upon receipt of a coin and concurrently closing off the ball return chutes when placed in a release position to preclude continuous return of the billiard balls when so actuated. The billiard balls are conveyed from the table pockets to an inaccessible receiving tray from which they are released by articulation of a coin operated device. During the releasing state further conveyance of the balls is closed off by a bar engaged for cooperating deployment concurrent with the actuation of the coin operated device.

United States Patent Murrey Sept. 23, 1975 COIN OPERATED POOL TABLE Primary Examiner-R0bert B. Reeves [76] Inventor: Gordon w. Murrey, 2929 w. 229th Bartuska SL Torrance, Calif 90505 Attorney, Agent, or F1rmFulw1der, Patt0n, R1eber,

Lee & Utecht [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1973 1 1 pp 397,408 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for selectively receiving billiard balls U-S- C played on a oin operated pool table releasing uch [5 Int. Cl? ball for the next game upon receipt of a oin [58] Field 0f Search 273/1l R, 11 C; 221/274; and concurrently closing off the ball return chutes 209/90 when placed in a release position to preclude continuous return of the billiard balls when so actuated. The References Cited billiard balls are conveyed from the table pockets to UNITED STATES PATENTS an inaccessible receiving tray from which they are re- 2,913,108 11/1959 Amori 209/90 x leased by articulation Of a 00in Operated device- 3,084,936 4/1963 Sikes..... 273/11 C ing the releasing state further conveyance of the balls 3,311,261 3/1967 Venzke 221/274 X is closed off by a bar engaged for cooperating deploy- 3, ,0 8 2/1970 e MieuX et m- 273/11 C X ment concurrent with the actuation of the coin oper- 3,498,611 3/1970 Kotler 273/11 C ated device 3,618,943 11/1971 Milu 273/11 C 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,907,286

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 Of2 3,907,286

COIN OPERATED POOL TABLE The present invention relates to coin operated devices, and more particularly to pool tables having ball return guides releasable by insertion of a coin.

2. Description of the'Prior Art Coin operated pool tables are typically characterized by the feature that provides an inaccessible ball collection tray disposed under a ball receiving chute connected to convey billiard balls played out into the pockets, such ball collection tray being articulated to release the balls into a collection chute by a coin operated device. The released balls are then conveyed along a ball return chute to collect in an accessible tray from where they are returned into play. Thus the general sequence of such prior art devices involved the collection of the played out balls followed by a release of the collected balls upon insertion of a coin to initiate a new game. Typically most such devices could be easily manipulated to allow for a continuous return of balls by moving the coin operated device to the release position and jamming the device in this position such that a direct ball return continuity would be maintained. In this manner continuous play could be easily maintained on a single insertion of a coin resulting in a loss of revenue to the proprietor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the general purpose and object of the present invention to provide apparatus rendered operative to release the collected balls upon depression of a coin operated device, such apparatus blocking the conveyance of the billiard balls as they are played out in the release position. Other objects of the invention are to provide coin operated ball return apparatus which is effectively articulated between a ball receiving position and a ball return position, there being no common combination between the ball receiving and return positions. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated pool table which is reliable, easy to maintain and requires few parts.

Briefly, these and other objects are accomplished within the present invention by providing a coin operated ball release mechanism having a plurality of first tracks leading from the respective pockets of a pool table to a center track where such center track is set at a slight angle from horizontal in the transverse plane in order to force the balls to ride against one side of the track. The center track terminates at a ball separating trap having two transversely inclined bottom planes disposed between distal sides and joined at a vertex separated from one side at a dimension just greater than the radius of the billiard balls and just less than the dimension of the radius of the cue ball. In this manner an oversize cue ball is separated from the billiard balls, directing the cue ball to be directlyreturned into play by a cue ball return track while directing the billiard balls to a return tray. The return tray is inclined longitudinally and transversely at an angle from the horizontal to convey by gravity the billiard balls deposited in the tray to be retained by an inclined rod pivoted to form a return gate which is connected to be actuated by a coin operated assembly. When released through the gate, the balls are dropped to be received in a collecting tray. In this manner the cue ball is continually returned into play while the billiard balls are collected in the return tray to be periodically released by insertion of a coin. In order to preclude a continuous recirculation of the balls into the return tray when the coin operated assembly is jammed in the gate actuating position, a cooperating bar is engaged to the coin operated device which, concurrent with the actuation of the gate, closes off the receiving track thereby precluding further progression of the balls therealong.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in partial cut-away, of a coin operated billiard ball return mechanism constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of a device constructed according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of the device shown in FIG. 2 having a coin operated lever extended to an intermediate position; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 3 having the coin operated lever extended to its fully depressed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT The apparatus described herein is directed at providing an interlock associated with a coin operated release of a pool ball return mechanism, generally designated 10. A coin chute 15, extending from a lateral surface of a pool table 20 and adapted to receive a coin or a plurality of coins of predetermined designation, is selectively articulated in translation, when properly filled with such coins, to be extended inwardly into the interior cavity of the table 20 and thereby to actuate in cooperation both a ball release assembly 25 and a spring loaded interlock bar 30. The bar 30 is supported for longitudinal translation at one end in a bore 41 formed in a lateral structure of a ball receiving chute 40 which is connected to receive billiard balls 45 played out into the pockets (not shown) of the table 20, the other end of the bar 30 being received in a guide 36 attached to a vertical tab 38 formed on a bracket 37. The bracket 37 is attached at both ends to the structure of table 20 providing further an attachment for one end of a spring 39 tensioned to connect at the other end to a cotter pin 33 received in the bar 30, such spring providing tensioning bias to withdraw the bar 30 from the receiving chute 40. The spring retraction of the bar 30 from the receiving chute 40 is limited by a collar 31 formed thereon, such collar abutting the guide 36 at a dimension where the one end of the bar 30 is maintained in bore 41 without projecting to the interior of the chute 40. The other end of the bar 30 extends distal of tab 38 to oppose an end plate 16 formed in the interior end of the coin chute 15 whereby the translation of the coin chute l5 drives the bar 30 to extend into the interior of the receiving chute 40 blocking further conveying of balls 45 therealong.

In order to provide for progression of the balls 45 along the receiving chute 40 the longitudinal axis thereof is aligned at an incline relative horizontal, receiving at the upper end the balls and terminating at the lower end at a ball separating trap 50 which separates an oversize cue ball 55 from the billiard balls 45 according to means further described below. The cue ball 55 is directed by the trap 50 into a cue ball return chute to be immediately returned into play while the bi]- liard balls 45 are directed into a transverse return tray 65 comprising a vertical side 66 attached transversely across the trap 50 at the distally opposing edge of a bottom plate 67. The bottom plate 67 comprises two sec tions 68 and 69 secured within the interior of the table at a longitudinal angle of alignment relative the horizontal plane. To preclude jam up of the billiard balls 45 collected in the return tray 65, the two sections 68 and 69 are also disposed at an incline from the horizontal along the longitudinal axes thereof, joining at the upper ends at a vertex directly opposite to trap 50. The sections 68 and 69 further include corresponding bias bars 58 and 59 mounted thereon, disposed longitudinally to direct the balls 45 towards the open side of the tray 65 and away from the vertical side 66. The open side of the return tray 65 is closed off by a bar gate 64 conformed in longitudinal geometry to form a structure configured in a shape parallel to the longitudinal axes of the sections 68 and 69 when disposed downwardly. Such gate 64 provides the support to the balls 45 in opposing cooperation with the bias bars 58 and 59 when such gate is suspended in a closing position from two eccentric end pivots 62 respectively receivable in corresponding pivot bores 63 formed in the sides of the pool table 20. When articulated in rotation about the pivot axis of pivots 62 from the closing position the bar gate 64 provides a progressively increasing opening towards the ends of tray 65 according to the increasing radius from such axis formed thereby. In the alternative, when articulated to a closed position the bar 64 retains the balls 45 in the tray 65 supported by the bias bars 58 and 59 and abutting against the vertical side 66 to roll down against vertical end plates 61 formed to close off the distal ends thereof.

The angular articulation of the bar 64 about the pivots 62 is accomplished by a push rod 29 pivotally attached at one end to a pivot 72 formed on bar gate 64, the rod 29 being further pivotally attached at the other end to one end of a bellcrank 28 pivoted in turn from a central pivot 32 mounted proximate a one end of the bracket 37. The other end of the bellcrank 28 is pivotally attached to one end of a scissored link assembly 27, specifically at one end of a first scissored member 24 which intermediate the ends thereof forms a pivot 23 received in a pivot bore 22 formed proximate the one end of a second scissored member 26. The other end of the second scissored member 26 is again pivotally connected to the bracket 37 proximate the other end thereof, members 24 and 26 cooperating to form the scissored link assembly 27 extended between the pivot on the bellcrank 28 and with the other end of bracket 37 in substantially opposing relationship to the coin chute 15. The free end of member 24 projects to form an opposing camming surface 21 disposed to abut the end plate 16 when the chute 15 is translated, while the free end of member 26 abuts a tab 19 formed on the side of the first member 24 adjacent chute 15. The tab 19 cooperates with the member 26 to limit the scissoring motion of the scissored link assembly 27 in the direction of the coin chute 15, where the link assembly is spring biased to such position by a bias spring 18 exterminates at the separation trap 50, where the trap 50 includes a bottom surface 51 comprising two longitudinal sections 52 and 53 joined at a vertex separated laterally from a vertical side 54, aligned with side 43, at a dimension just greater than the radius of the billiard balls 45 and just less than the radius of the cue ball 55. Thus the center of gravity of the cue ball 55 is biased over the vertex between sections 52 and 53 to direct the path thereof into a branch chute 49 which connects to the cue ball return chute 60. The differential in size between the cue ball and the billiard balls is further utilized in the trap 50 for separation thereof by a separation gate 48 disposed substantially on a diagonal relative the longitudinal axis of the chute 40 across the trap 50 to diagonally suspend an adjustable blocking plate 47 at a dimension from the bottom surface 51 just greater than the diameter of the billiard balls 45, such plate being aligned to engage the cue ball 55 directing the cue ball into the branch chute 49. The billiard balls 45, being of a smaller diameter, pass under the plate 47 to progress along trap 50 onto a horizontal bar 56 disposed over the transverse return tray 65, bar 56 terminating in an end stop 57 above the vertical side 66. Thus the billiard balls have no stable support over the return chute and are randomly distributed to either side thereof.

In operation, as the respective balls 45 and 55 are played out into the table pockets they are then received in the receiving chute 40. The bottom surface of chute 40 is aligned relative the horizontal to direct the balls towards trap 50 along one vertical side thereof. The trap 50 separates the cue ball 55 from the rest of the balls to directly return the cue ball back into play while concurrently distributing the billiard balls into the sides of the return tray 65. When all the balls are played out, or when a particular end of game point is achieved, the billiard balls are released by depressing the coin chute 15 which concurrently extends one end of the bar 30 into the interior of chute 40 to block further conduction of the balls therealong. After the balls are released from the return tray 65 into the collection tray the chute 15 can be released simultaneously closing the bar gate 64 and opening chute 40. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the translation of chute 15 engages first the bar 30 and only further extension thereof depresses the scissored assembly 27. Accordingly, the receiving chute 40 is always closed off during all release stages effectively precluding any intermediate positioning of chute 15 which would allow for a continuous return of the balls.

Some of the many advantages of the present invention should now be readily apparent. The invention provides an effective means for separating the cue ball from the other balls and directly returning the cue ball while providing a positive release configuration which includes an interlock feature precluding any concurrent return of balls.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a coin operated pool table including a longitudinally inclined receiving chute adapted to receive the balls played out into the pool table pockets, and a linearly articulated coin chute, the improvement comprising:

a return tray aligned to communicate with said re- 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisceiving chute; ing: interlock means disposed for cooperating extension said receiving chute including a bottom surface diswith the articulation of said coin chute for extendposed at a transverse angle from horizontal for ing into said receiving chute and thereby blocking 5 urging the balls conveyed thereon against one side the progression of the balls therealong prior to the of said receiving chute; and inward ball releasing articulation of said coin trap operatively connected to the exit end of said chute, said interlock means including a bar receiving chute including a vertical side aligned mounted for translation to extend one end thereof with the one side of said receiving chute and a botinto said receiving chute, the other end being dis- 0 tom plate comprising two sections joined at a verposed for urging by abutting contact with said coin tex aligned with the longitudinal axis of said receivchute; and ing chute, said vertex being displaced from said release means including a scissored member urged to vertical side by a dimension smaller than the radius an extended position and disposed to be collapsed of the cue ball and larger than the radius of the by said coin chute, said scissored member operaother balls. tively connecting at one end thereof to said table, 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: a bellcrank pivotally mounted to said table proxisaid trap further includes a trap gate aligned along a mate the center thereof and connected at one end diagonal relative the longitudinal axis of said rethereof to the other end of said scissored member, ceiving chute, a vertical plate mounted in said trap a pushrod connected at one end to the other end gate at a vertical dimension from the bottom surof said bellcrank, and gate means disposed in said face of said trap less than the diameter of said cue return tray and connected to be articulated by the ball and greater than the diameter of said other other end of said pushrod for releasing the balls balls for directing said cue ball into a cue ball recollected in said return tray when said scissored turn chute. member is collapsed. 

1. In a coin operated pool table including a longitudinally inclined receiving chute adapted to receive the balls played out into the pool table pockets, and a linearly articulated coin chute, the improvement comprising: a return tray aligned to communicate with said receiving chute; interlock means disposed for cooperating extension with the articulation of said coin chute for extending into said receiving chute and thereby blocking the progression of the balls therealong prior to the inward ball releasing articulation of said coin chute, said interlock means including a bar mounted for translation to extend one end thereof into said receiving chute, the other end being disposed for urging by abutting contact with said coin chute; and release means including a scissored member urged to an extended position and disposed to be collapsed by said coin chute, said scissored member operatively connecting at one end thereof to said table, a bellcrank pivotally mounted to said table proximate the center thereof and connected at one end thereof to the other end of said scissored member, a pushRod connected at one end to the other end of said bellcrank, and gate means disposed in said return tray and connected to be articulated by the other end of said pushrod for releasing the balls collected in said return tray when said scissored member is collapsed.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: said receiving chute including a bottom surface disposed at a transverse angle from horizontal for urging the balls conveyed thereon against one side of said receiving chute; and a trap operatively connected to the exit end of said receiving chute including a vertical side aligned with the one side of said receiving chute and a bottom plate comprising two sections joined at a vertex aligned with the longitudinal axis of said receiving chute, said vertex being displaced from said vertical side by a dimension smaller than the radius of the cue ball and larger than the radius of the other balls.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said trap further includes a trap gate aligned along a diagonal relative the longitudinal axis of said receiving chute, a vertical plate mounted in said trap gate at a vertical dimension from the bottom surface of said trap less than the diameter of said cue ball and greater than the diameter of said other balls for directing said cue ball into a cue ball return chute. 